Toilet disinfectant dispensing system and method therefor

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a toilet-disinfectant dispensing system, the system comprising: a disinfectant substance dispenser installed such that the outlet thereof leads to the toilet bowl; and an activator for activating dispensing the substance before presence of waste inside the toilet bowl. According to one embodiment of the invention, the activator is a handle deployed underneath a seat of the toilet, thereby activating the dispensing upon sitting on the seat. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for dispensing disinfectant into a toilet bowl, the method comprising the steps of: providing a dispenser for dispensing the disinfectant into the toilet bowl, wherein the dispenser comprises an activator; and upon activating the activator, dispensing the substance into the toilet bowl.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of sanitary fixtures. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a toilet-disinfectant dispensingsystem and method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,126 is considered as the closest prior art. Itdiscloses “a toilet disinfectant dispenser for use with a toilet of thetype having a tank with tank lid. A water supply is connected to thetank by a water inlet pipe controlled by a float valve assembly. Atoilet bowl is operatively connected to the tank by a ball valve on atank drain. The ball valve is connected to a lift chain on a trip leverof a flush handle on the tank. An overflow pipe extends upwardly intothe tank and is connected to the bowl. The dispenser comprises acontainer having an inlet port and an outlet port. A solubledisinfectant tablet is carried within the container. An element at theoutlet port is for detachably securing the container to a top end of theoverflow pipe. A facility is for feeding some of the water from thefloat valve assembly into the top end of the overflow pipe and into theinlet port of the container. The water within the container willdissolve a predetermined amount of the soluble disinfectant tablet,which will then exit the outlet port, to finally go into the overflowpipe and then enter the toilet bowl.”

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedtoilet-disinfectant dispensing system and method therefor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which aremeant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. In variousembodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have beenreduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to otheradvantages or improvements.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to atoilet-disinfectant dispensing system, the system comprising:

-   a disinfectant substance dispenser installed such that the outlet    thereof leads to the toilet bowl; and-   an activator for activating dispensing the substance before presence    of waste inside the toilet bowl.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activator is a handledeployed underneath a seat of the toilet, thereby activating thedispensing upon sitting on the seat.

Additionally or alternatively, the activator is operated manually by auser.

In one embodiment of the invention, the activator is activated uponsensing, by a sensor thereof, presence of an object, such as a user,waste, and so forth. The sensor may be based on infrared sensingtechnology, strain sensing, contact (closing a circuit), and so on.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the disinfectant compriseschlorine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the dispenser comprises:

-   a container;-   a vanes wheel immersed into the container;-   a unidirectional bearing connected to the vanes wheel; and-   a handle connected directly or indirectly to the bearing.

The dispenser may further comprise:

-   an opening deployed underneath the container;-   a lid deployed above the container;    wherein at a certain point during the rotation of the wheel vanes of    the wheel and the lid generating a closed cell above the opening,    thereby allowing only substances inside the cell to be poured out.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the container is deployedin the seat and/or lid of the toilet bowl.

The system may further comprise a clip, for enabling connecting thedispenser to a rim of the toilet bowl.

The system may further comprise:

-   a connector for connecting the dispenser to a wall above the toilet    bowl; and-   a pipe for conveying dispensed disinfectant from the container    thereof directly or indirectly to the toilet bowl.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the disinfectant is in theform of, or comprises, powder.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the disinfectant is inthe form of, or comprises, liquid.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the disinfectantis in the form of, or comprises, one or more tablets.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the disinfectantis in the form of, or comprises, one or more solid objects.

Preferably, the disinfectant comprises CDB 60.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the dispenser comprises:

-   a container having an opening at the bottom thereof;-   a cylinder rotatable inside the container, the cylinder having an    opening;-   a rack having an opening; and-   a handle connected to the cylinder, for turning the cylinder from a    first state to a second state;    wherein in the first state the opening of the cylinder overlaps the    opening of the rack thereby allowing substance within the container    to fill the opening of the cylinder; and in the second state the    opening of the cylinder overlaps the opening of the container,    thereby allowing the substance enclosed within the cylinder to be    poured out through the opening of the container while the rack    preventing from substance within the container to be poured out.

The dispenser may further comprise a spring for turning the cylinderfrom the second state to the first state.

In one embodiment of the invention, the disinfectant comprises chlorine.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the substance container ofthe dispenser is deployed inside the seat and/or lid of the toilet bowl.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method fordispensing disinfectant into a toilet bowl, the method comprising thesteps of:

-   providing a dispenser for dispensing the disinfectant into the    toilet bowl, wherein the dispenser comprises an activator; and-   upon activating the activator, dispensing the substance into the    toilet bowl.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activator is activatedmanually by a user.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the activator isactivated automatically upon detecting presence of an object at thetoilet bowl.

The detecting may be carried out by a sensor. Such a sensor may be basedon infrared sensing technology, strain sensing, contacts, and so on.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the activating is carriedout by force applied on the seat of the toilet bowl.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thefigures and by study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 pictorially illustrates a bathroom having a flush toilet in whicha toilet-disinfectant dispenser is installed, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a zoomed view, which schematically illustrates thetoilet-disinfectant dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view from the front of the toilet-disinfectantdispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view from the back of the toilet-disinfectantdispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, which schematically illustrates thestructure of a unidirectional bearing that can be employed inembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b schematically illustrate the dispensing operationcarried out by the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an improved toilet disinfectantdispenser, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the toilet disinfectant dispenserillustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a bathroom in which a toilet disinfectantdispenser is installed, according to another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bathroom featuring the toilet disinfectantdispenser of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 pictorially illustrates a bathroom having a flush toilet inwhich a toilet-disinfectant dispenser is installed, according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a zoomed view, which schematically illustrates thetoilet-disinfectant dispenser of FIG. 11.

Each of FIGS. 13 and 14 is exploded view from a different angle of thetoilet-disinfectant dispenser of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b schematically illustrate the dispensing operationcarried out by the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 11.

It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solelyfor purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits ofthe invention, for which reference should be made to the appendedclaims. It should be further understood that the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, theyare merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures andprocedures described herein. Reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuitshave not been described in detail, so as not to obscure the presentdisclosure.

The term “disinfectant” refers herein to a cleansing substance,deodorizing substance, a substance that kills pathogenic organisms andthe like in water, air, etc., and so forth.

Operation

FIG. 1 pictorially illustrates a bathroom having a flush toilet in whicha toilet-disinfectant dispenser is installed, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

Dispenser 30 is attached to the rim of the toilet bowl 14 by a clip 20.

Handle 10 of dispenser 30 activates dispension of the disinfectant. Whenthe toilet's seat 16 is placed down or upon sitting on seat 16(depending on the design thereof), seat 16 pushes handle 10 of dispenser30 downwards, thereby activating the dispension of disinfectant intotoilet bowl 14.

The dispenser can be designed to dispense the substance upon placing theseat on the handle. Alternatively, the dispenser can be designed todispense the substance only when a user sits on the toilet seat. Whenemploying a spring, the strength of the spring may determine how thedispensing is activated, upon applying a weight of a toilet seat, orupon applying the weight of a user.

The handle is actually an activator of the dispenser. As will bedetailed hereinafter, the activator may be also a circuitry whichemploys a sensor for sensing presence of a user at the toilet bowl, andso on.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the operation of dispensingdisinfectant into the toilet bowl takes place a “short time” before thewaste falls the bowl. As such, when the waste is dropped down, thedisinfectant already is present in the toilet bowl, and as a result, theoperation of eliminating organisms producing stench is more effectiveand faster than in any other prior art technology wherein the dispensingoperation takes place after the waste has dropped into the toilet bowl.

Structure

FIG. 2 is a zoomed view, which schematically illustrates thetoilet-disinfectant dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view from the front of the toilet-disinfectantdispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view from the back of the toilet-disinfectantdispenser of FIG. 1.

Generally, the toilet-disinfectant dispenser 30 is composed of acontainer (whose walls are marked by numeral 32) for storing thedisinfectant substance, a vanes wheel 48 that rotates inside thecontainer, and a unidirectional bearing, which rotates the vanes wheel48 in one direction. Container 32 comprises an outlet 41 through whichthe substance is released from the container, and a handle 10 whichrotates the unidirectional bearing, thereby dispensing the disinfectantsubstance stored therein.

Element 34 is used as a chassis to the construction. An axle 44 forwheels 48 and 36 is attached to chassis 34. Also attached to the chassis34 is a lid 42, whose role is described hereinafter.

Wheel 48 comprises a cylinder 38 on one side thereof (better seen inFIG. 3) and a plurality of vanes 40 on the other side.

A handle 10 is attached to the wheel 36.

Wheel 36 is a cogwheel in which the cogs are in the interior partthereof.

Upon turning handle 10 down, cogwheel 36, which is attached to handle10, grips cylinder 38 and as such, rotates wheel 48 to which cylinder 38is attached (or is a part of). As wheel 48 rotates, the substance withinthe toilet-disinfectant dispenser falls down through opening 41. Ifopening 41 is positioned above a toilet bowl, the substance falls intothe bowl.

Wheel 48 is used also as a lid to the walls 32 of the disinfectantcontainer. Wheel 48 also comprises vanes 40, which turn to the interiorside of container 32. As wheel 48 rotates, vanes 40 blend thedisinfectant substance stored within the container, the walls of whichare marked as 32, thereby assuring that the dispensed quantity ofsubstance is substantially constant. Element 42 is a lid the role ofwhich is explained in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b and the description thereof.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates the structureof a unidirectional bearing that can be employed in embodiments of theinvention.

The unidirectional bearing is used to rotate wheel 48 when handle 10 ispushed downwards, and makes an idle move in the opposite direction.Presently, unidirectional bearings are well known in the art.

The unidirectional bearing illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises: a cylinder48; a cogwheel 36 the cogs of which are saw-like; and rollers 46. Thecogs of cogwheel 36 are in the form of a saw cogs. Since wheel 36comprises saw-like cogs, the space between wheel 36 and wheel 48 along acog is gradual, and reaches to a minimum at the tip of a cog. In FIG. 5,the cogs are on the interior side of cylinder 36. However,alternatively, the cogs may be on the exterior side of wheel 48. In sucha case, the internal diameter of cylinder 38 must be greater than theexternal diameter of the cogwheel 36.

When cogwheel 36 rotates in direction A, rollers 46 roll towards anarrower space between cylinder 38 and cogwheel wheel 36. As rollers 46advance, cogwheel 36 grips cylinder 38 tighter, and at a certain pointcylinder 38 rotates along with the rotation of cogwheel 36.

When cogwheel 36 rotates in the opposite direction, i.e., direction B,the grip of cogwheel 36 loosens, and when a roller 46 reaches to edge 37of a cog, the roller 46 is dragged. In other words, cogwheel 36 rotatesfreely around cylinder 38 in the B direction.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b schematically illustrate the dispensing operationcarried by the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1.

As mentioned above, member 32 constitutes the walls of a container. Atthe lower side of the container, the walls of which are marked asnumeral 32, there is an opening 41, through which the dispensedsubstance is poured out of the container.

In FIG. 6 a, the lid 42 forms a chamber 43 a with the vanes 40 a and 40b, and since there is an opening 41 underneath, the substance within thechamber is poured out through opening 41 only from the chamber 43 a.

In FIG. 6 b, chamber 43 b approaches opening 41, while chamber 43 a isexposed to the substance within the container (walls being marked asnumeral 32). As chamber 43 a empties, chamber 43 b is filled.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an improved toilet disinfectantdispenser, according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is anexploded view of the toilet disinfectant dispenser illustrated in FIG.7.

In the figures herein, numeral 28 denotes a construction for attachingclip 20 to chassis 34. According to this embodiment of the invention, anadditional container 62 is attached to the construction of dispenser 30.Container 62 may include a different substance which is gradually washedaway (through opening 64) with the water of the toilet thereof. Thesubstance stored in container 62 may be a fragrance, a substance whichmay react with the disinfectant substance stored in the container (thewalls of which are marked by numeral 32) and therefore stored in adifferent container, etc. The substance to be stored in container 62 maybe in the form of a solid object such as tablet(s), powder, liquid, andso forth.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a bathroom in which a toilet disinfectantdispenser is installed, according to another embodiment of theinvention.

According to this embodiment, the dispenser is installed above thetoilet bowl, in contrast to the inside of the toilet bowl. This enablesa user to activate the dispensing independently from the toilet seat.The toilet disinfectant dispenser is located near the water activator 8of the toilet. A pipe 18 connects the substance outlet of the dispenser30 with pipe 24 through which water is conveyed to toilet bowl 14.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bathroom equipped with the toilet disinfectantdispenser of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 pictorially illustrates a bathroom having a flush toilet inwhich a toilet-disinfectant dispenser is installed, according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a zoomed view which schematically illustrates thetoilet-disinfectant dispenser of FIG. 11.

Each of FIGS. 13 and 14 is exploded view from a different angle of thetoilet-disinfectant dispenser of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b schematically illustrate the dispensing operationcarried out by the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 11.

From the structural point of view, the dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 11to 15 i comprises a cylindrical container (composes of members 92 and84) inside which a cylinder 96 rotates around an axle 80 (which is apart of member 92), cylinder 96 may be rotated by a handle 10 connectedthereto; and a “rack” 88.

At State A, which is illustrated in FIG. 15 a, opening 90 and of rack 88and opening 98 of cylinder 96 overlap. In this way, the disinfectantsubstance stored within the container fills the cell generated byopenings 90 and 98. Since in this state opening 94 of the container doesnot overlap openings 90 and 98, the walls of the container are actuallya bottom of the generated cell.

At State B, which is illustrated in FIG. 15 b, opening 98 of cylinder 96overlaps opening 94, resulting with pouring the substance enclosed inopening 98 out of the dispenser.

Upon releasing handle 10, a spiral-spring 86 returns cylinder 96 toState A.

In other words, the disinfectant substance that fills opening 90 inState A is dispensed in State B. In State A opening 98 is exposed to thedisinfectant substance within the container, and in State B thesubstance within opening 98 is poured out through opening 94. In State Brack 88 is used as a lid to opening 98, thereby preventing from the restof the substance enclosed within the container to be poured out.

It should be noted that although the activator is preferably amechanical device, since it does not have to use electric power; theactivator may also employ electric power. When electric power is used,the activator may use a sensor. A simple sensor may be a contact sensor.For example, one contact of a circuit is deployed on the toilet seat,and the other on the lavatory. When the seat is placed down, the contactbetween the contacts closes a circuit which dispenses one portion of thedisinfectant substance into the toilet bowl.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is a strain sensor, whichindicates when a pressure of a certain level and higher is applied onthe sensor. Thus, a certain pressure (e.g., the weight of a seat, theweight of a user) is applied, one substance portion is dispensed.

According to another embodiment, the sensor is a based on infraredtechnology, such as the sensors applied in taps of toilet rooms whichpour water upon sensing presence of an object underneath the tap. Such asensor may sense presence of a user near the toilet bowl, falling wasteinside the bowl, and so on.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the toilet seat and/or lidis used as a container of the dispenser. In this case the container maybe refilled. Actually, the entire dispense may be embedded in a toiletseat/lid.

PARTS LIST

In the figures and description herein, the following numerals have beenmentioned:

-   Numeral 8 denotes a handle for activating the operation of    dispensing water into toilet bowl 14;-   Numeral 10 denotes a handle for activating dispensing of a    disinfectant substance by toilet disinfectant dispenser 30;-   Numeral 11 denotes a slot for allowing movement of handle 10;-   Numeral 12 denotes a wall in which container 26 resides;-   Numeral 14 denotes a toilet bowl;-   Numeral 16 denotes a toile seat;-   Numeral 18 denotes a pipe through which a substance is conveyed into    the pipe 24;-   Numeral 17 denotes a toilet's lid;-   Numeral 20 denotes a clip for hanging a toilet disinfectant    dispenser to the rim of a toilet bowl;-   Numeral 22 denotes water that remains in container 22 after washing    the waste;-   Numeral 24 denotes a pipe which conveys water from container 26 of    toilet 14;-   Numeral 26 denotes a water container of toilet 14;-   Numeral 28 denotes a construction for attaching clip 20 to chassis    34;-   Numeral 29 denotes a hole in clip 20 for enabling passing a screw    therethrough;-   Numeral 30 denotes a toilet disinfectant dispenser;-   Numeral 32 denotes walls of a container of disinfectant substance;-   Numeral 34 denotes a chassis;-   Numeral 36 denotes a cogwheel to which handle 10 is attached;-   Numeral 37 denotes a point at the end of one cog and the start of    the adjacent cog thereof;-   Numeral 38 denotes a cylinder attached to the vanes wheel 48;-   Each of numerals 40, 40 a and 40 b denote a vane;-   Numeral 41 denotes an opening in container 32 through which the    disinfectant substance is poured out;-   Numeral 42 denotes a cover which creates with the closest vanes 40    thereof a cell whose substance is poured out;-   Each of numerals 43 a and 43 b denote a cell in the disinfectant    substance container;-   Numeral 44 denotes an axle for wheels 36 and 48;-   Numeral 45 denotes a nut corresponding to axle 44 (the nut is    attached to chassis 34);-   Numeral 46 denotes roller(s) which are a part of a unidirectional    bearing;-   Numeral 48 denotes a vanes wheel;-   Numeral 50 denotes a hole through which a screw secured to chassis    34 is passed;-   Numeral 60 denotes a construction for attaching;-   Numeral 62 denotes a container for storing fragrant substances and    the like, to be washed out by water poured into a toilet;-   Numeral 64 denotes an opening through which water enters and exits    from container 62;-   Numeral 78 denotes disinfectant substance;-   Numeral 80 denotes an axle;-   Numeral 82 denotes an opening at the bottom of part 84;-   Numeral 84 denotes one part of a cylindrical disinfectant container;-   Numeral 86 denotes a spiral-spring;-   Numeral 88 denotes a “rack”;-   Numeral 90 denotes an opening at rack 88;-   Numeral 92 denotes the other part of the cylindrical disinfectant    container (which corresponds to part 84);-   Numeral 94 denotes an opening at the bottom of part 92;-   Numeral 96 denotes a cylinder (to which handle 10 is connected); and-   Numeral 98 denotes an opening at cylinder 96.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways,modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. Theembodiments described herein should be considered as illustrative andnot restrictive.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A toilet-disinfectant dispensing system, the systemcomprising: a disinfectant substance dispenser installed such that theoutlet thereof leads to said toilet bowl; and an activator foractivating dispensing said substance into said toilet bowl beforepresence of waste inside said toilet bowl; wherein said disinfectantcomprises fluid, and said dispenser comprises a pump for pumping saiddisinfectant from said container, and said activator comprises a handlefor operating said pump, and said handle being installed between the lidof said toilet and the flush container of said toilet, therebydispensing said disinfectant upon applying force by pressing said lidagainst said flush container; or wherein said disinfectant comprisesfluid, and said dispenser comprises a blower in which said disinfectantis disposed, and said blower being installed between the lid of saidtoilet and the flush container of said toilet, thereby dispensing saiddisinfectant upon applying force by pressing said lid against said flushcontainer.
 29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said activator isoperated manually by a user.
 30. A system according to claim 28, whereinsaid activator is activated upon sensing, by a sensor thereof, presenceof an object.
 31. A system according to claim 30, wherein said sensor isbased on a member selected from a group comprising: infrared sensingtechnology, strain sensing, and contact.
 32. A system according to claim28, wherein said disinfectant comprises from about 1 percent to about 60percents chlorine.
 33. A system according to claim 28, wherein saidcontainer is deployed in the seat of said toilet bowl.
 35. A systemaccording to claim 28, wherein said container is deployed in the lid ofsaid toilet bowl.
 37. A system according to claim 28, furthercomprising: a connector for connecting said dispenser to a wall abovesaid toilet bowl; and a pipe for conveying dispensed disinfectant fromthe container thereof directly or indirectly to said toilet bowl.
 38. Asystem according to claim 28, wherein said disinfectant comprisespowder.
 39. A system according to claim 28, wherein said disinfectantcomprises CDB
 60. 40. A system according to claim 28, wherein saidhandle comprises a springy mechanism resisting to activating saidhandle.
 41. A system according to claim 40, wherein the resistance ofsaid springy mechanism is less than the force applied by said lid,thereby activating said dispensing upon leaning said lid on a wall. 42.A system according to claim 40, wherein the resistance of said springymechanism is greater than the force applied by said lid, therebyactivating said dispensing upon pressing said lid against a wall.
 43. Asystem according to claim 28, further comprises a mechanism forincreasing the force applied by said lid on a wall.